Project 543 tells the story of unique spots across North Carolina we hope will become some of your favorite places. Why 543? Because that’s the number of miles from Manteo, on the coast, to Murphy, in the mountains, and is traditionally considered to be the width of our state. The entries in this project are in no particular order, and we’ll add to them each week. Check in often to find inspiration for your next trip, or start planning today at VisitNC.com.

What is Project 543?

Project 543 tells the story of unique spots across North Carolina we hope will become some of your favorite places. Why 543? Because that’s the number of miles from Manteo, on the coast, to Murphy, in the mountains, and is traditionally considered to be the width of our state. The entries in this project are in no particular order, and we’ll add to them each week. Check in often to find inspiration for your next trip, or start planning today at VisitNC.com.

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Write to your kindred spirit at this mailbox on Bird Island

As many Nicholas Sparks fans know, nearly all of his books and movies are set in different parts of North Carolina; he even resides in New Bern, N.C. His 2018 book, Every Breath, features the Kindred Spirit mailbox on Bird Island — a reserve adjacent to Sunset Beach on the Brunswick Islands. Though the mailbox has weathered a few storms throughout its decades-long lifetime, both locals and visitors make sure it remains standing in its designated spot. Whether you want to write a letter to your unrequited love or you have wisdom to share with those who visit after you, the Kindred Spirit mailbox serves as a symbol of hope and emotion on the quiet beach where it resides. More than 100,000 people, hopeless romantics and outdoor enthusiasts alike, have visited it since its inception. Regulars recommend parking at the 40th Street public beach access (not far from the Sunset Beach Pier), then walking about 1.5 miles southwest to reach the Kindred Spirit mailbox.